Abbott government to be pressed on gas supply crunch

Manufacturers will step up pressure on the Abbott government to address a looming gas crisis they warn will cripple the industry at a time when rising costs and poor productivity threaten tens of thousands of jobs.

The chief executives of some of the biggest manufacturers met in Sydney Wednesday to broker a strategy for dealing with the Coalition on key areas such as energy, regulation, and productivity.

Fears about a gas shortage topped the agenda of Manufacturing Australia’s first strategy session since the change of government.

“There is a looming gas crisis on Australia’s east coast, particularly in NSW, that threatens manufacturing jobs and will result in Australians having to pay more for the gas they use to heat their homes and power their appliances," Manufacturing Australia chairman
Sue Morphet
said.

“Manufacturing Australia has been calling for government leadership to broker an open and transparent industry discussion to avert this crisis."

Some members will attend an energy security summit being hosted by the NSW government on Thursday as pressure grows to relax rules around coal seam gas drilling.

“We believe governments have a responsibility to ensure that the current gas demands of Australian industry and households continue to be met alongside the development of a gas export industry," Ms Morphet said.